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KUCHING, June 26: Sarawak and Sabah with their rich resources, are the two regions paying for the development of Peninsular Malaysia, where West Malaysian lawyer Asiah Abdul Jalil perhaps is one of the beneficiaries, says Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said there is no doubt that Sarawak and Sabah’s vast land size contains much resources which were untapped at the time the two regions joined Malaya to form Malaysia.
“The resources of the two States or regions have been tapped to help develop the whole nation of Malaysia and probably Asiah who claimes to be a law graduate is one of the beneficiaries from the wealth of Sabah and Sarawak when she studied law in Uitm (Universiti Teknologi MARA).
“Being a lawyer, I would have expected her to be more intelligent, analytical and broad-minded in her outlook. But she seems to be living in a cocoon,” said Abdul Karim in a statement.
Uncertain if Asiah has ever stepped foot in Sarawak and Sabah which have contributed much to Malaysia’s economy and wealth, Abdul Karim deemed her “adverse” comment on the two regions uncalled for and definitely not helping national unity.
“Sarawakians and Sabahans are slighted by her comment and act of arrogance and insensitivity in how she describes the two regions.”
He acknowledged that he did not know Asiah personally but from what she shared, he was certain that “she is definitely very ignorant and has a very shallow knowledge of how Malaysia was born and what is really happening in Sabah and Sarawak”.
Abdul Karim said giving a sweeping statement as such only revealed her “true unintelligent self”.
“She should do more research on Sabah and Sarawak and visit the two regions, know the rights of the two regions vis-à -vis what was agreed via the MA63 Agreement (Malaysia Agreement 1963) before giving those uncouth comments,” said Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim was responding to a post by Aisah on her Facebook page dated June 23.
Among others, Aisah said if she was a civil servant assigned to serve in Sabah or Sarawak, she would resign within 24 hours.
As a West Malaysian, she said, she saw the two regions as unsuitable to further a career, to plan a family or raise school-going children, and would put mental and emotional health at risk.
She also claimed that 60 years after independence with Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak are still unsuccessful in producing their own State citizens who can fill vacancies in their respective States, and are still reliant on West Malaysians to serve there.
She questioned how Sabah and Sarawak would survive if they were to leave Malaysia as even though they have much resources, they don’t have quality citizens and thus, it would be difficult for them to progress and be independent. — DayakDaily
